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New Rankings Reveal America's Top Towns
Where can you find a waterfall, a blues club, and world-class waffles, all in one Top 10 list?
CNN Travel has unveiled its second annual ranking of America’s Best Towns To Visit, spotlighting small cities with standout charm, and a big dose of the unexpected.
The outlet tapped its readers and contributors for nominations.
It then narrowed the field by evaluating each town’s attractions, dining and drink options, cultural and nightlife scenes, identity, diversity, proximity to other destinations, and general “wow factor.”
Travel essentials like lodging and accessibility were also con…
'Little Boy With Green Tractor': NJ Town's Popular Landscaper Brandon Santos Dies, 20
If grass needed to be cut in Beachwood, Brandon Santos was there to do it — happily.
He was just 12 years old when he began pushing his lawnmower around town, later upgrading to a bicycle with an attached trailer and then finally, a mower, according to his obituary on the Mastapeter Memorial Home website.
Brandon became known around town as "the little boy with the green tractor," ultimately starting his own law mowing business, BS Landscaping.
But Brandon died on Sunday, June 8, at just 20 years old.
When he wasn't cutting grass, Santos enjoyed riding dirt bikes, working on cars, jet ski…
Official Cause Of Death Released For 14-Year-Old Son Of Ex-Yankees Star
The official cause of death has been released for the teenage son of a former Major League Baseball star who died while on a family vacation.
Miller Gardner, age 14, the youngest son of Brett Gardner, an outfielder who spent his entire 14-year career with the New York Yankees, and his wife, Jessica, died in his sleep on Friday, March 21.
The Gardners released a statement through the team revealing that Miller succumbed to an illness after he became sick while the family was on vacation in Central America at a hotel in Costa Rica.
On Wednesday, April 2, authorities in Costa Rica, citin…
Ex-Yankees Star, Family Pay Tribute To Miller Gardner, 14: 'His Spirit Will Carry On Forever'
The teenage son of a former Major League Baseball star who died while on a family vacation is being remember for his smile and spirit.
Brett Gardner, an outfielder who spent his entire 14-year career with the New York Yankees, and his wife, Jessica, shared the devastating news of the death of their youngest son, Miller, age 14, on Sunday, March 23.
Earlier report - Apparent Cause Of Death Released For Teen Son Of Ex-NY Yankees Star Brett Gardner
The Gardners released a statement through the team revealing that Miller succumbed to an illness two days earlier after he became sick…
Jersey Shore Man Indicted For Killing Air Force Vet, Roommate: Officials
A 39-year-old Jackson Township man was indicted by a grand jury on Wednesday, Feb. 26 for murdering his roommate, authorities said.
At 5:55 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024, Robert Sunris, 74, was found fatally stabbed in the chest, with a knife near his body, in a home on Maple Street, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said.
An investigation determined Louis Gargiso, Sunris' roommate, was the person responsible and he was arrested that same day, authorities said. He has remained in Ocean County Jail since his arrest, Billhimer said.
Sunris' obituary says he was a Neptune High Sc…
NJ High School Hockey Player Collin Zavoda Dies, 15
Collin Zavoda, a 15-year-old student athlete at Bridgewater High School died unexpectedly on Monday, June 10, according to a campaign launched for his family.
A native of Edison, Zavoda moved to Bridgewater in 2013 and was active in the community, playing baseball and hockey, his obituary on the Bridgewater Funeral Home website reads.
An avid hockey fan, Collin also worked as a hockey referee, according to his obituary and helped lead his club hockey team to a championship. The rising sophomore was also an active Boy Scout who enjoyed fishing, boating and skiing, his obituary rea…
Zsolt Mihalyfalvi, Hillsborough Resident, Dies At 45
Zsolt Mihalyfalvi, a 45-year-old Hillsborough resident died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 12, according to his obituary on the Hillsborough Funeral Home website.
Mihalyafalvi was born in Romania where he graduated from university with a degree in computer science in 2001, his obituary reads. He later met and married his wife Rebecca in 2008 and they had two children, according to his obituary.
Mihalyfalvi loved nature, fishing and using his Stihl chainsaw for woodcutting, his obituary reads. He enjoyed building warm fires and roasting marshmallows with his kids, according to his obituary.
H…
Miroslaw Kolenda, 42, Of Middlesex, Enjoyed Fishing, Helping Others
Miroslaw Kolenda of Middlesex died on Feb. 1, according to an obituary published by Van Tassel Funeral Home. He was 42 years old.
Miroslaw worked as a machine operator for Cascades Container in Piscataway, his obituary said.
"He liked fishing but most of all he loved helping other people," his obit said.
Miroslaw is survived by his parents, Krystyna Kolenda and Andrzej Kolenda, his sister, Anna Kolenda and his ex-wife, Yolanta Kolenda.
Click here to read Miroslaw Kolenda's complete obituary.
'Forever Our Brother:' Nicholas Jarusiewicz Of Ocean County Dies, 32
Ocean County resident and Lowe’s sales manager Nicholas Jarusiewicz died at his home in Jackson Township on Friday, May 19. He was 32.
Born in Neptune, Nicholas lived in Jackson Township for the majority of his life, moving briefly to Missouri before coming back in 2017, his obituary says.
Nicholas worked as a sales manager for Lowe’s in Osage Beach, Missouri.
He was known for his love of racing quads, fishing, RC cars, shooting rifles and pistols, and other outdoor activities.
Nicholas is survived by his loving mother, Janice Burdiss and her husband Mike; his father, William Jarusiewicz;…
PA Boater Has Close Encounter With Great White Shark In NJ (Video)
A great white shark was spotted off the coast of Sea Isle City, and a boater caught it all on video.
Jim Piazza of Media, Pennsylvania, posted the footage to Facebook.
"Look at this monster. Get, get, get away,'' Piazza says on the video to his son, Jayden, who was near the edge of the 23-foot boat. "He was a big shark."
Piazza was fishing for about four hours six miles out with his 15-year-old son, his son's friend, and a cousin, Joey. They were less than a mile from shore when they spotted the shark at about noon on Saturday, June 4.
"I almost hit the shark," Piazz…
NJ Beach Named Among 25 Best In America
You don't have to go to Hawaii to find a great beach. Well, you can — or you can stay right here in New Jersey.
Not only is Asbury Park a good beach, it's among the 25 best in America, TravelAndLeisure.com says.
Privacy, accessible parking, boardwalk and public transportation are just some of the factors the website looked at in choosing the best beaches in the country.
"Stretching about a mile along New Jersey's Atlantic coast, Asbury Park Beach is a lively, clean, white-sand beach. Sunbathing, swimming, surfing, fishing, and people-watching are favorite activities here," the website said…
Central Jersey Native, Beloved Dad Dies Suddenly, 38
Central Jersey native and beloved father Douglas Maurice Verschelde died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 19. He was 38.
Verschelde grew up in Medford before moving to Point Pleasant, where he lived at the time of his death, his obituary says.
A member of Five Alive Bassmasters, Verschelde loved fishing and working on his boat.
Verschelde was also an avid softball player and Scudz Sports teammate, his memorial says.
Above all, Verschelde is remembered for embracing his role as a loving father to his young daughter, Angelina LaChappelle, who was his “greatest joy in life.”
In addition…
